During the Song and Ming Dynasties, Confucian morality became fashionable. Many people vied with one another to imitate the poise¹ of a moralist.

 

There was one Confucian moralist who went to the city. On the street, he walked respectfully with measured strides, his back arched and his hands behind his back. He took every step according to the accepted angle and length.

 

As he walked and walked, he felt his back aching, and was entirely² exhausted³. He looked around, then turned to his servant and whispered: "Take a look. Is there anyone behind?"

 

The servant replied: "No."

 

At this moment, the Confucian moralist at once straightened up, heaved a sigh of relief and began to walk unbridledly with long strides.

 

Another Confucian moralist was walking slowly on the road with measured strides, when black clouds suddenly rolled in the sky and heavy rain began to pour. He dashed hurriedly for over one li. All of a sudden, he exclaimed with regret: "Too bad! I have erred⁴! But a gentleman corrects his error as soon as he is aware of it, and it is not too late yet."

 

Consequently, braving the rain, he returned to the place where he started running and began to walk slowly again, step by step with measured strides.

 

宋朝、明朝时期，儒学成了一种时髦，很多人都争着模仿儒学家的风度。

 

有一位儒学先生进城去，走在大路上，弓着腰，背着手，恭恭敬敬地踱着四方步，每一步都不超过规定的角度和距离。

 

他走着走着，觉得腰酸背痛，疲惫不堪，左右张望一番，又回头小声问仆人：“看看，后头有没有人?”

 

仆人回答：“没有。”

 

这时候，这位儒学先生马上直起腰杆，长吁一口气，跨开大步，放肆地走起路来。

 

又有一位儒学先生，正在路上慢慢地踱着四方步。突然间天空乌云翻滚，下起了倾盆大雨。他慌忙奔逃，跑了一里多路。忽然，他“哎呀”一声，后悔地说：“不好，我失误了。君子知错就改，为时不晚。”

 

于是，他冒着雨退回到刚才起跑的地方，重新开始一步一步地踱起四方步来。

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